Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid coach and current manager of the French national team, has faced criticism for his decision to reposition Kylian Mbappé, one of the world's top footballers, to the left attacking corridor. This move was intended to allow Ousmane Dembélé to play in the central position, but it has sparked debate among fans and analysts. While Zidane's team has started strongly, with three wins and a draw in their opening matches, some of his tactical choices have raised concerns.
France's performance has generally been praised for its style, with a dynamic midfield that appears more energetic than under the previous manager, Didier Deschamps. However, the repositioning of Mbappé did not go well. He was injured in the final minutes of the match against Turkey and had to leave the team camp. This outcome has led to questions about the wisdom of the move, especially since Dembélé has struggled to make an impact in recent matches.
Etienne Moatti, a football analyst for L'Equipe, criticized the decision, calling it "extremely surprising, to say the least, and even a bit foolish." He pointed out that Mbappé is a prolific goal-scorer, having scored around 60 goals per season, and that moving a player of his caliber to the wing is unusual. Moatti suggested that Zidane made an error in this case but noted that the coach could still adjust his strategy.
Zidane's approach has not gone unchallenged, as Nabil Djellit, another analyst, defended the decision. Djellit argued that Zidane is not prone to making mistakes and that he is committed to his ideas. He acknowledged that Mbappé's injury limited Zidane's ability to fully implement his plan but urged patience. Djellit emphasized that Dembélé has previously succeeded in central positions, including winning the Ballon d'Or, and that Zidane should be given time to adapt his tactics.
Zidane's Tactical Decisions Spark Debate Over Mbappé's Role
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